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Data exclusivity still key hurdle to India-EU FTA
Despite all official assurances, the path towards a free trade agreement between India and the European Union this year remains ambiguous, as both sides are unwilling to relax their stand on the biggest stumbling block — the issue of “data exclusivity”.
New EU envoy cagey on FTA pact
Newly appointed EU Ambassador to Japan Hans Dietmar Schweisgut said Wednesday various issues need to be dealt with before Japan and the EU can conclude a free-trade accord.
Time for EU-Syria deal to be signed: commissioner
Stefan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy, said in Damascus on Tuesday it is time for the long-dormant EU-Syria association agreement to be signed.
Top Canadian official says FTA deal with the EU is imminent
The two sides concluded the latest FTA talks, the sixth round of discussions, in Brussels last week. The next round of negotiations are due to take place in Canada in April.
A closer look at East Asia’s free trade agreements
ADB and ADBI conducted firm-level surveys in six East Asian countries, the results of which are published in the book “Asia’s Free Trade Agreements: How is Business Responding?” released on 21 January 2011.
Call for people’s alliance to defeat FTA agenda
“India’s enthusiasm for Free Trade Agreements, in the context of the current global crisis when countries are eschewing trade liberalisation and concentrating on reviving domestic economies and creating jobs, defies economic logic,” said K.N. Harilal of the Centre for Development Studies and member of the Kerala State Planning Board.
TIFA talks shelved over beef dispute
The US has decided to postpone a trade meeting with Taiwan later this month amid a dispute over US beef, the Central News Agency reported yesterday, citing unnamed Taiwanese officials.
Egypt, Peru hold talks to sign trade agreement
Egyptian Ambassador to Lima Hesham Khalil reported Saturday that Peru and his country are holding talks to sign a trade agreement that enables to increase trade between both nations.
KORUS FTA protested in San Francisco
Citizens and activists joined Kim Kyung-Ran, Director of External Relations for the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, in a rally at San Francisco’s new Federal Building to oppose the KORUS deal. Video and photos.
Colonisation again?
The FTA issue is so serious; and the fact that the Malaysian government is taking it so lightly is alarming, says Sarajun Hoda Abdul Hassan.
India-EU trade agreement likely only by year-end
European Union ambassador to India Daniele Smadja on Friday said ongoing negotiations for the India-EU broad-based trade and investment agreement may not be concluded by April.
Trade agreement between the European Union and Pacific countries
The agreement provides for the elimination of tariffs and more flexible rules of origin for various food products from Fiji and PNG, such as fish. But the European Parliament has asked the Commission to suspend the exceptions to the rules of origin if this year proves to have "a disruptive impact" on European industry.
US claims victory over Canada in lumber dispute
The United States claimed victory against Canada Friday in a trade dispute over Ottawa’s alleged subsidies for lumber exports to the United States.
US eyes transpacific trade deal by November APEC
The United States wants to "substantially complete" negotiations on a free trade agreement with eight other countries in the Asia Pacific region by the time President Barack Obama hosts a regional summit in November, the top US trade official said on Friday.
Colombian labor leader seeks trade pact delay
Congress should delay the proposed US-Colombia "free trade" agreement until a key Colombian law that leads to workers’ oppression changes and law enforcement there improves, a top Colombian union leader says.
If US doesn’t sign FTA, Colombia is not going to cry: Garzon
Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon said Thursday that if the US congress decides not to ratify a free trade agreement with Colombia, the country’s government will not "sit down and cry."
US-South Korea FTA: an attack on workers in both countries
On both sides of the Pacific, unions are raising their voices against this rotten deal. The AFL-CIO has come out against it, along with the Steelworkers, Machinists, Communication workers, United Electrical workers and International Longshore Workers while the KMWU, the KCTU and the Federation of Korean Trade Unions remain steadfastly opposed
UK government’s consultation on new trade policy: Evidence from The Corner House
In early 2011, the UK government plans to announce a new trade and investment policy for the next five years. To inform this policy, it gathered perspectives at the end of 2010, on “UK trade and investment performance and potential, the role of government on trade issues, the impact of global developments, both economic and otherwise, and the course of UK trade policy.”
Keidanren lobbies Kaieda for TPP
The head of Japan’s largest business organization on Thursday urged Banri Kaieda to show leadership in moving the government toward negotiations on a Pacific free-trade agreement as the two met for the first time since Kaieda became trade minister.
Korea, India agree on upgrading their free trade pact
South Korea and India agreed Thursday to improve their free trade pact that went into effect early last year in a bid to further boost bilateral trade.